A river overflowed and flooded villages after heavy rain in northern Thailand.

Continuous downpours triggered flash floods and landslides in Chiang Rai province on August 18 as a river nearby was swollen.

The rain started the previous evening before water levels rose in several villages mainly in the Mae Chan district.

Rescue volunteers patrolled the flooded areas while shelters have been set up to easily assist the affected residents who needed food and fresh water.

District chief Vorayut Khombun said: ‘The water rose quickly but we are hoping that it would be back to normal before the weekend.’

No one was reported hurt from the floods but landslides in nearby Mae Fah Luang district pushed down trees and electric posts blocking roads as officials are working to clear the route.

Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines are in the middle of their tropical monsoon rainy season, which lasts until October or November. Soaring temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius are often followed by powerful tropical storms with thunder, lightning, rain and flash floods.